THE LOST CIVILIZATION OF THE INCAS

Transcription

1 Peru THE LOST CIVILIZATION OF THE INCAS March 17-25, 2018

2 Lima is a sum of colors, textures and sounds. It is a cosmopolitan capital par excellence where the taste is acquired from the flavor offered by its street-side cooks frying anticuchos or soft picarones in syrup against a backdrop of colonial balconies, old houses, and churches with secret tunnels. Lima's Historical Centre, was declared a World Cultural Heritage in Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, is surrounded by the wonders of nature and impressive architectural ruins. Due to its position as the capital of the Inca dynasty, Cuzco, 3,300 meters above sea level, is a showcase of several different cultures - pre-inca, Inca, Colonial and Republican. Cuzco was the Inca s holy city and is now the oldest inhabited city of the Americas. As a result, many splendid styles of architecture are found here.

3 The beautiful Sacred Valley, known as Vilcamayo to the Incas, stretches out from Pisac to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba River or "Sacred River". Standing guard over the two extremes of the Sacred Valley road, the ancient Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo hang high above the stunning Río Vilcanota-Urubamba and are among the most evocative ruins in Peru. Pisac is a small, pretty town just 30km from Cuzco. At the market of Pisac indigenous vendors gather dressed in colorful, traditional clothing to sell their produce to one another and their crafts to you. The picturesque village of Ollantaytambo and its ruins are said to contain the most impressive Inca stonework anywhere in Peru and is overwhelmed by the great templefortress clinging to the sheer cliffs beside it. The Sacred Valley is one of the most important parts of Cuzco. Numerous rivers converge in it, most with their origin on the Icy Mountains. Ollantaytambo

4 Machu Picchu is so wondrous that it almost defies description. Among the most impressive features of the once-vast Incan civilization were enormous temples, palaces, fortresses and public works, skillfully erected with a minimum of engineering equipment. Machu Picchu, a sacred site of the Incas, is now acknowledged as South America s most spectacular site on the continent. Its remote location in nearly impassable terrain high above a river canyon cloud forest virtually guaranteed it would become the Lost City of the Incas. It remained lost and forgotten for 400 years, and to this day it retains an air of grandeur and mystery. The ruins are located in a lush jungle and are believed to have been built in the mid 15 th century by Inca Pachacutec. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is one of the most famous examples of Inca architecture and is located 112 km from the city of Cuzco (a 3½ hour train journey), 2,350 meters above sea level. Lost in history, the ruins were not discovered until 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham. Lake Titicaca is a sacred place for the Inca civilization, as the Incan Mythology says that the first Inca King, was born here. According to Incan Mythology, this is the place where the world was created, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, stars, and the first people.

5 The mighty lake straddles the border of Bolivia and Peru and is dotted with dozens of islands, each of them with their own characteristics and peculiarities. The floating islands of the Uros, whose inhabitants descend from one of the oldest known tribes in the Americas, feature typical native huts made from reeds. The inhabitants of Taquile Island, meanwhile, still use traditional weaving techniques that tourists can learn if they decide to stay the night there and accept the traditional hospitality of the locals. Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno & Lake Titicaca

6 ITINERARY DAY 1 (MAR 17) LIMA/CUSCO/SACRED VALLEY INC: -/L/-. Arrival in Lima and assistance to board your connecting flight to Cusco. Arrival in Cusco, meet and greet and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Awanacancha, resort where we will encounter Andean camelids (llamas and alpacas), in addition, local inhabitants will show us their techniques of woven and dyed traditional textiles. We will continue to Pisac, which is both Inca and Colonial. Discover one of the most beautiful Inca archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley, in the top of the mountain that dominates the colonial village of Pisac. Enjoy a walking tour of the colonial village. Time to do some shopping in the handicrafts market. Accommodation in the Sacred Valley. DAY 2 (MAR 18): SACRED VALLEY INC: B/L/-. Our adventure continues exploring the little frequented treasures of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will begin on the Moray, where the view is impressive thanks to colossal terraces simulating a large amphitheater. Its usefulness: recreate 20 different types of microclimates, measurement which ensured the agricultural production of the empire. We then continue to Maras, the famous and ancient salt mines of the colonial era. The contrast of its white with the green valley is impressive and not to be missed for a postcard spectacular of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Buffet lunch. Accommodation in the Sacred Valley. DAY 3 (MAR 19): SACRED VALLEY/MACHU PICCHU INC: B/L/D. Late in the morning we will have lunch at the restaurant Wayra, where the Terrace affords a casual yet breathtaking environment with views of the mountains, popular art, paintings murals and an inspiring garden. In this pleasant and welcoming atmosphere, you will be served a delicious lunch, which combines the delights of the valley with the paso horse show and the Marinera (may vary according to the day). We will continue toward Ollantaytambo, a picturesque village continuously inhabited since the Inca period, where we will visit the temple of the same name, used as a fortress during the Inca. Later, continue to the local station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Dinner included at the hotel. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes. Train departure from Ollantaytambo 04:36pm / 06:06 Aguas Calientes

7 DAY 4 (MAR 20): MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO INC: B/L/D. Early in the morning, we will board the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. Energy is all around us. At the arranged time, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo from where we will be transferred to Cusco. Accommodation in Cusco. Train departs Machu Picchu 02:30pm / arriving in Ollantaytambo 04:20pm From Ollantaytambo you will be transferred to Cusco hotel. DAY 5 (MAR 21): CUSCO INC: B/-/D. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we will climb up the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman, and start our excursion visiting the fortress with the same name, a beautiful place that radiates peace and quiet, where we will be able to admire the huge rocks measuring up to 4 meters high that were used in its construction. We will then head for Q'enqo, and the ancient temple of the Puma, where we will be able to appreciate an altar for sacrifices in the inner part of a huge rock, and then Tambomachay, sacred fountains of life and health. On the way we will have a panoramic view from Puca Pucara, a watchtower that controlled the entrance to the city. After that we will visit the Temple of the Sun The Korikancha, on top of which the Saint Dominique Convent was built. A legend tells that his temple was entirely lined in gold sheets that marveled the Conquistadors upon their arrival. Finally, we will go to the Main Square and will visit the Cathedral that houses invaluable colonial paintings and other works of art, such as the Cross that arrived with the first conquerors. In the evening, we will go to Tunupa restaurant to enjoy dinner with a live folkloric music show. Accommodation in Cusco. DAY 6 (MAR 22): CUSCO/PUNO INC: B/-/-. Departure transfer to board our domestic flight to Juliaca. From the airport, we will visit the pre-inca cemetery of the Hatun Colla chiefs in Sillustani, on the shore of Lake Umayo. A great trip to see the funerary towers or Chullpas reaching up to six meters high. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation in Puno.

8 DAY 7 (MAR 23): PUNO INC: B/L/-. A full day tour to explore Lake Titicaca. First, we will visit the Uros, the friendly inhabitants of these handmade islands made of totora reeds. Then it s off to Taquile Island, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. A great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. A typical lunch is provided in the island. Return to the city in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Puno. DAY 8 (MAR 24): PUNO/LIMA INC: B/-/D. LA :50pm / 02:15pm Departure transfer to board our domestic flight to Lima. From the airport, we will have a tour through Lima s streets and plazas. Starting at Parque del Amor in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then we are heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture, for a panoramic view. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porres and Santa Rosa de Lima used to walk in 17th century, and where their remains rest today. In the evening, we will go to Rosa Nautica s restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport to board our international flight back home.

9 Quantum Travel Services

10 LAND PACKAGE 3 to 3.5* superior hotel Sacred Valley La Hacienda Valle Sagrado Std Machu Picchu El Mapi Sup deluxe Cusco Los Portales Sup Puno Jose Antonio Puno Std Group rate for 10/14 PAX $1,895 per person double $2,195 per person single Land Package includes: - Hotel accommodation as per itinerary - Hotel tax - Meals as per itinerary - Tours as per itinerary - Private tours - Private Transfers - English speaking guides - Train: Vistadome train - Sacred Valley/ Machu Picchu /Cusco - All entrances Not Included - Gratuities - International and Domestic flights in Peru - Beverages - Tours not in the itinerary - Meals not in the itinerary - Travel Insurance (but highly recommended) Payment Deposit: $500, due November 17, 2017 Payment in full: due November 21, 2017 Payment is non-refundable and is payable by cash or check. There is a 4% surcharge for payment by credit card Names We will need names as per passport and birth dates.